Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Messe A. Bidias Rackel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Messe bidias , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The first time I knew my journey would change was in 2014 after graduating from the university as an accountant . I was jobless, black and from the ghetto. In the black region of my country, education didn’t favor us because of the corrupt system of government. The poor get poorer and rich men’s children don’t go to school but end up having certificates and occupying all offices and jobs being private or public. We, the minority, got less or no chances of finding a way to earn a living making life totally impossible to stay or leave. I was tired of working for no remuneration and insults. I was working as a labourée in construction and at times washing plates to earn a franc. My parent ( mom) had no money to send me to school when I completed my secondary education. I started doing hard labor jobs to pay for my university education ,and health care. It was impossible to keep the pace of work and school. I was homeless for about a year living in the homes of strange people, who offered me living condition as long as I worked for them, a kind of modern day slavery. I knew I had to fight against this exploitation, I had to find freedom against these inequalities and unjust practices and followed the path in achieving greatness and moreover equality and balance through my inborn talent which is arts . My dream was to pass a message to the world, painting situations and realities of my country and the system of government ,the inhuman treatment, and the day to day suffering in the slums, to document the children who are born to this world and go unseen. I decided to paint the true stories of myself, country and practices never disclosed to the world through my arts

I worked to strengthen my art but things got much harder because Africans did not value the worth of visual artists. My passion did not succeed in paying all my bills. I had to experience humiliations when introduced as an artist, there was discrimination in public areas I had to go through depression. I was reduced to asking myself a lot of questions. Suddenly, the tragic situation in 2020. I had a STROKE on one the left side of my face, leaving me paralyzed I saw my dreams fade away. God gave me a new breath of life. I recovered full facial movement after
one and a half years. I believe am my ancestors ‘ tongue, so all that I do counts. Let my energy heal others through my art. I just gotta keep pushing. My life has become the journey of an African art healer. My work depicts the African section of humanity knowing we have rights and most of all culture.

Messe bidias , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Messe a Bidias Rackel. a versatile visual artist based in Cameroon, West Africa with great passion for fine art and contemporary painting. Both eager and willing to collaborate with growing artists from around the globe, I am to exchange ideas, information and inspiration while working collectively to better build the industry.of Arts
Being born and raised in a third world country has cultivated by humble beginnings. Although, art has always been a passion of mine that I’ve dreamed of pursuing, when it came to settling on a career I initially chose a path in the business realm. After graduating in 2014 with a degree in Accounting from the University of Golf in Douala, I was met with the harsh reality of my predicament considering the employment rate in my country was very low & the market for positions in my career being even lower. I had a tough decision: to follow my mind and to salvage my time spent or to follow my heart and revert to my true calling being art…I chose the latter and embarked on a path less followed.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My intention with my art has always been to reflect my environment in the best light. Initially my works were inspired by the slums I laid my head in and the persons and personalities I crossed paths with but unfortunately a tragic event occurred in 2020 and I was faced with the reality of my morality after surviving a stroke. Although my intentions have yet to stray, proving my unwavering resilience has diverted my inspiration from being on based on my perception of others to one that is focused on healing my inner wounds, that of my own generation, and the traumas suffered by my bloodline in the diaspora. I aim to serve as an example to those who struggle with aligning with their purpose and for my art to serve as a light to those who are both physically and mentally in darkness.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?

Beeing raised up in slums and practicing art as a professional career and ending a full time with ,has helped me discover the real me/mission and purpose in life.so there for the most rewarding aspect I get from being an artist is the freedom of my mind ,and communication both spiritually,directly and indirectly to the world throughout my creations . The understanding of mankind and its ways ,being it happiness or sadness , how my art is being synchronized with people’s life time stories,others find a refuge in it mean while others found in it a comfort
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Secondly my art is rewarding to me as it contribute in writing a present history and more over creating my legacy as I keep producing ,creating and revealing the untold story about my bloodline and present realities of my environment and it’s ecosystem.

Last but not the least the joy I bring back home to my First Lady lovely mother who did everything in her power to support me both physically, financially ,mentally and spiritually .she always believed in me ,kept on encouraging me through out this rocky journey, for what I am today it’s thanks to her ,who never stopped nourishing me with her inspirational experience ,etc .
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Lastly the way in which I grow up my spirituality ,the ability for me to take care of my family and younger ones back in schools and providing a little for those in need when ever I get a franc from my arts .Reaching out for sick people, orphans and street children.
Thus all these brings full happiness in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marcel.pt/messe_bidias/
• Instagram: @messe_bidias
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/messe.rackel
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/messe-rackel-5bb4951b9
• Twitter: Messe Rackel

Image Credits
Mbane Isabelle